European Parliament starts work on EU-wide action plan for LGBT rights

This week the European Parliament released a study on a potential EU roadmap for LGBT equality. Such an EU action plan would draw together new laws and policies to strengthen equality and non-discrimination for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people in the EU.

Sophie in ‘t Veld MEP, Vice-President of the LGBT Intergroup in the European Parliament, commented: “I welcome this new study, which will help us draw the skeleton of what the LGBT Roadmap should include.”

“The European Parliament, and the ALDE Group in particular, has asked the Commission to come up with a Roadmap for equality for LGBT people regularly since January last year. Such a policy would cost very little if anything, and ensure the EU delivers on its promise of equality and anti-discrimination.”

Michael Cashman MEP, Co-President of the LGBT Intergroup, added: “An LGBT Roadmap would ensure the Commission, the Council and the Parliament are effectively committed to equality across all EU activities.”

“Viviane Reding is the first ever EU Commissioner with a fundamental rights portfolio, and I am convinced she will take up this call before the end of her mandate in 2014. Equality cannot wait.

The Intergroup on LGBTI Rights is an informal forum for Members of the European Parliament who wish to advance and protect the fundamental rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people. Members of the Intergroup would usually take a positive stance on LGBTI issues when they draft reports or amendments, when they vote in the Parliament, or when they deal with constituency affairs.